And, blessedly, I don’t just mean Schitt’s Creek itself (although it’s comfort-tv-during-times-of-stress status is official). Because this week, with “Sunrise, Sunset,” we were also gifted with a deep dive into the world of Sunrise Bay, past and potentially-future! And there’s enough there to deliver substantive storylines for two of our heroines. Moira gets a surprise offer, delivered via a duo of flawless guest stars playing her former executive producer and co-star, to feature in a prime time reboot of the show alongside said (shady as hell) co-star, Clifton Sparks (Uncle Sparky to Alexis!), and (AND!) angel in human form and documented Schitt’s Creek superfan, Nicole Kidman. Sadly, the offer ends up being slightly less exciting at closer glance…by Moira’s publicist, daughter, and new moderator of the Sunrise Bay Fan Forum, so it looks like the reboot will have to go forward without Vivian Blake.

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On the plus side, the visit from ghosts of TV show past, along with Alexis’ Sunrise Bay box-set marathon/spiral into the depths of the online fandom (the most relatable Alexis has ever been, truly), seems to have brought back Alexis’ gift for advising her mother on her career. Even without attending the meeting – at Moira’s insistence that she stay at the motel where no one can see her…I mean, to focus on critical self-care – Alexis manages to provide Moira with perfect counsel. In addition to showing Moira evidence that Clifton almost certainly was responsible for her being written off the show, she reminds Moira he and the show need her more than she needs them. Because other than poor Adriana and her breast-popping DUI, Moira’s the only original Sunrise Bay cast member currently making headlines.

I deeply love how, as soon as Alexis actually lets herself wallow a little in her post-Ted feelings, she starts to feel more like herself. That she has the opportunity to protect her mom (and client, but mostly mom) while doing so is even better. Our girl is finally getting back on track, and I am absolutely thrilled.

In other “The Kids are (Making Sure Everything’s) Alright” news, Stevie comes up with a plan to allow the Rosebud Motel to bloom another day (I’m so sorry and yet not at all) and David takes a break from (understandably) squeeing over his fancy pants wedding menu to check in on his dad’s financial worries. Both Stevie’s and David’s efforts stem from the bad news that the new Rosebud Motel has termites and a crumbling foundation, both of which will cost far more than Stevie, Johnny, and Roland can afford. Especially with Johnny shooting down every arson and organ-sale focused idea his partners suggest. But luckily for all of them, while Johnny’s been focused on their damaged new asset and his son’s expensive tastes, and Roland’s been off reading historical fiction, Stevie’s been boning up on business lessons from Mr. Rose’s former self. And she refuses to give up and accept Johnny’s idea to sell the new motel to cut their losses.

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The younger generation – particularly Alexis and Stevie – lifting up the elder Roses this week is particularly satisfying given that they’ve each faced their fair share of stumbling blocks this season, and Johnny and Moira have been there for them time and again. Not only does the role reversal provide a gratifying sense of reciprocity, but also a nice little reminder that the kids are coming into their own. And that means having both the thoughtfulness and ability to support their loved ones.

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Close, but not quite Moira. <sobs in four more episodes>

For now, we’ve got superlatives to get to!

Love That Journey For Her: Moira Knows Her Value

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Moira Rose has certainly made strides during her time in Schitt’s Creek – most notably in the context of supporting and nurturing her children (both biological and honorary) – but her growth isn’t as obvious as some other characters’ in the ensemble. She’s still bombastic as hell, still (mostly) self-involved, a bit delusional at times, and still largely derives her sense of self worth from her commodity value in the entertainment industry. But, with Alexis’ help, this week she takes a big step in the right direction.

Unlike in the season premiere, when she reneged on her decision to retire from acting as soon as the industry came calling, this time around she has the confidence to respond to a generous, and frankly very appealing for other reasons as well, offer by demanding (arguably more than) what she’s worth. And as much as I would have loved to have seen what death she’d dream up for Clifton’s character in the reboot, it’s immensely rewarding to learn she valued herself enough to make her counteroffer one she knew would be refused. After believing for years she’d unwittingly negotiated herself out of her Sunrise Bay role, she can now enjoy the fact that this time she absolutely did, and there was nothing unwitting about it. After all, why would an Interflix-trending actress keep herself tied to her past?

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Moira’s Rose’s Garden’s Honorary Rose of the Week 4856: Stevie

In the past few episodes, Stevie really hasn’t had too much to do beyond fulfilling her Maid of Honor duties (both legitimate and David-invented), so she’s likewise been somewhat absent from these recaps. Maybe that’s how she’s had time to read past the initial chapter of Johnny’s book, (lest you forget, the flawlessly titled) Fast Forward to Success.

And lucky for Johnny that she did. Because while he’s been busy wallowing in the combined misfortune of having recently acquired a termite-ridden, busted foundation-having motel and having promised his expensive-taste-having son he’d pay for the food at his upcoming nuptials, Stevie’s been reading and researching and planning. And, refusing to give into Johnny’s fretting and Roland’s…general uselessness, she comes up with an idea worthy of big-time investors that could not only save the Rosebud Motel empire, but actually elevate and expand it into a money-making venture.

Obviously, I’m happy for Johnny that his confidence in their prospects has returned. And, assuming this idea pans out (which it will, because this show delivers for its characters), I’m also glad for Roland and Jocelyn that they’ll be able to stop renting out their spare room and scanning classifieds. But mostly I’m elated for Stevie that her decision to return to work at the motel isn’t panning out to mean returning to her old, predetermined life.

The “I’m Darlene’s Cousin, Who the Fuck Are You?” Award for Outstanding Achievement in Guest Starring: Clifton Sparks

It’s VICTOR GARBER, Y’ALL!

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Despite having been reminded on twitter mere hours before watching this episode, I had completely forgotten he would be guest-starring. I gasped in delight when he first appeared on screen (within a screen) during Alexis’ Sunrise Bay binge-watch.

And, in a surprise to no one, he plays both Clifton Sparks and Tristan (full disclosure: I’m not actually sure that was Clifton’s name on the show, but it’s the only other character’s name we hear during the episode, and I’m obsessed with the idea of a scheming doctor named Tristan, so I’m going with it) exquisitely. Perfectly, soapily, absurdly.

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The only thing that makes me a little sad about the fact that Moira won’t be reprising her role in the Sunrise Bay reboot (assuming it even happens now without her) is that it means no more Clifton for us.

“Roland in the Bedroom” Funniest Bit: Sunrise Bay Is the Soapiest!

After having only been teased with mentions and few details about the daytime soap opera that made Moira Rose “Television’s Moira Rose” for nearly six seasons now, we finally got an actual look into the show within a show. And it was everything I could have hoped for: soft focus, terribly great wigs, animosity between characters and the actors who played then, not to mention beautifully absurd plot lines and fervent fans still hashing out conspiracy theories in thriving online forums (now moderated by one Alexis Rose). Both the Sunrise Bay clips we get to see and the conversations that reveal additional on-screen and behind-the-scenes details provide hilarious glimpses into the show that made Moira Rose a star. It’s clear the writers and the cast had a ton of fun creating the world of Sunrise Bay, and I’m grateful that fun translated so well into the snippets they passed along to us. 12/10 would binge watch. Luckily, it’s available on Interflix.

Aw, David! Sweetest Moment: David Offers to Let Johnny Off the Hook

Because he gets so frequently and intensely caught up in his own life and plans, it can be easy to forget (“disremember” if you’re more fluent in Moira-ese) how thoughtful and generous David can be. No doubt Johnny thought he was being subtle during the wedding menu tasting, but even the chef’s plans for David’s caviar crew couldn’t keep David from noticing his father’s distress. And, in a move that’s a far cry from their awkward ATM interaction back in Season 2’s “Moira’s Nudes,” but also absolutely within David’s character, he cautiously approaches his father about it later and tries to assure him, without embarrassing him, that he doesn’t actually need to cover the costs of the wedding dinner.

Of course, Johnny’s pride keeps him from taking his son up on the full offer – and his teary, nostalgic confession to Stevie as soon as David leaves gives us more insight into his stubbornness – but David’s attempt, and more importantly the manner in which he made it, is a really gracious moment between father and son, and a sweet reminder of how far their relationship has come.

Blouse Barn Durability Award for Best Look of the Episode: Alexis’ Heartbreak Couture

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Listen, I know her outfit doesn’t exactly look award-worthy – and I know Moira served multiple truly fantastic looks this week, but the thing about Alexis this week is that she looks completely perfect. And not just in the sense that she’s wearing exactly what you’d expect while finally nursing her heartbreak (from the neutral colored comfy clothes to the lack of makeup and untended-to hair extensions), but also in the sense that she straight up still manages to look gorgeous.

I fully expect many people to disagree, but that’s none of my business. If you need me, I’ll just be over here obsessing over how amazing her half-bun top-knot hairstyle looks with her outgrown roots.

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Honorary mention to this week’s guests, Tippy (are we sure it’s not Tinkle?) and Clifton, both of whom got the full benefits of this show’s stellar costume department. Both understated. Both awful and also perfectly in character.

A Vocabulary Lesson from Schitt’s Creek’s Resident Sesquipedalian

congress [kong-gris], n. a formal meeting or assembly of representatives for the discussion, arrangement, or promotion of some matter of common interest; an encounter; meeting. As in, “This doctor would rather nurse her potable, if you don’t mind. Best to stay lucid for our congress.”

disremember [dis-ri-mem-ber], v. (used with object) Southern and South Midland U.S. to fail to remember; forget. As in, “It’s not easy to disremember my final demise. It was even more vicious than Vivian getting trampled while honeymooning in Pamplona.”

lunettes [loo-nets], n. the usual term for eyeglasses in modern French. As in:

A Lotta Bit Alexis Tubful of Sunrise Bay Suds

I’m sincerely not the slightest bit upset we didn’t get even a little bit Alexis this week, because it left more time for a near overflow of soapy insights about Moira’s original star-making vehicle.

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Vivan Blake became head of surgery at Sunrise General Hospital after she was possessed by her father…who had previously been the head of surgery at Sunrise General hospital.

In the world of Sunrise Bay, one can apparently take a pill to kill a spirit possessing oneself. It’s possible it only works if you’ve killed the person whose spirit it is at least once before?

Moira’s character was killed off multiple times, including by getting trampled by bulls in Pamplona, drowning in a toilet into which she had just vomited up a demon, and, finally, being shredded.

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Vivian gave birth to nine children and once had a ghost as a lover. It’s not clear whether these two things are related, but I’m going to go ahead and believe the ninth child was, indeed, half-ghost.

Vivian had a twin brother…also played by Moira for a season, which led the producers to submit her for both a best actress and best actor Daytime Emmy.

Estate Sale Auction Items

This week’s cold open – which finds the Rose family around a Cafe Tropical booth – somehow contained two completely separate and equally funny conversations: one in which Johnny cannot stop saying the wrong things to Twyla and then awkwardly “fixing” them in a way that makes things worse…for David (who has only once before heard someone say so many wrong things, one after the other, consecutively, in a row) and the other in which each person’s reaction to Alexis’ “natural and peppy” look after a rough night is precisely what you’d think.

While we’re on the subject of the cold open, I could not stop laughing at Twyla disappointedly realizing David and Patrick wouldn’t be having the cafe cater their wedding while holding the cafe menu just so.

Did anyone else notice/flail over the fact that – I believe for the first time ever – we got to witness Moira in the act of accessorizing?! It was almost a religious experience to watch her put on her silver ankle booties and then black leather fingerless gloves (not to be confused with her white fingerless gloves from earlier in the episode) while explaining to Alexis that she need not accompany her to her power lunch. This show giveth.

Example 3384689: these are the shoes Moira was wearing during the opening cafe scene, even though her feet were completely hidden from view under the table the whole time. The costume department does not fuck around for one single second of one single episode.

“That electrifying courtroom drama about the potty-mouthed feral child.” “Oh that was an actual court case. My daughter wanted to emancipate and the press couldn’t get enough!” “Lucky you!”

This is probably the first meal poor Johnny has truly enjoyed since moving to Schitt’s Creek. No wonder he takes so much tenderloin to go.

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“Eight hours of watching Sunrise Bay made me feel a little not right in the head.” / “It had that effect. The New England Journal of Medicine did a fascinating study on it.” Would still absolutely binge watch it. And then read the study.

Roland has a baseball signed by Geena Davis! We love an unlikely feminist.

Speaking of Clifton, while I do think we’ve probably seen the last of him, I’m not totally convinced we’ve seen the last of the Sunrise Bay reboot. I wouldn’t be shocked if the show’s producers end up kicking Clifton to the curb and coming back to Moira, tennis bracelet in hand, to beg her to appear on the show after all. And maybe it’s just the stubborn optimist in me, but I can’t help but hold onto the tiniest sliver of hope that Dan Levy might be able to pull off a Nicole Kidman cameo in one of the final episodes. She is a fan, after all.

How did I not realize from the start I should just have a “David’s best facial expression(s) of the episode” superlative? Anyway, here, have these to take with you on your way out:

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What did you think of this week’s episode? Was Moira right to turn down the Sunrise Bay reboot offer? Will Stevie’s idea for the motel work out or should Roland go ahead and list his other kidney on Craigslist? Is Alexis’ heartache funk finally over? Come take a quarantine pit stop in the comments!

Featured Image Source: CBC/Pop

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Kim & Sage

Kim and Sage bonded over Fox Mulder, Friends trivia, and boy bands, then decided to start blogging about their fandom. Head Over Feels is a safe space for fangirls — powered by enthusiasm, glitter, and gifs. If you've been to a Doctor Who convention in the last five years, we've probably offered you wine.